Frictional holding pad

ABSTRACT

A frictional holding pad removably attaches handheld items, such as a cell phone, to a surface, such as a dash, to allow storage of handheld items on the surface with the pad to prevent the items from shifting or sliding due to the movement of the support surface. A smoother application side of the pad clings to the handheld item by specific or mechanical adhesion, and a contoured exposed side of the pad clings to the surface by specific or mechanical adhesion. The smoother application side of the pad can have a greater surface area than the contoured exposed side so the pad remains with the handheld item when removed from the surface. Indicia can be formed on the pad. The pad can be translucent or transparent. The pad can include an expanded vinyl material or a polyurethane material.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/264,669,filed Dec. 31, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,910,188; which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/021,560,filed Dec. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,867; which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/684,008,filed Oct. 10, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,602; which is a divisionalof U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,409, filed Jul. 30, 2002; which claims benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/308,955, filed Jul. 31,2001, and 60/344,571, filed Dec. 28, 2001, which are all incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a frictional holding pad,particularly useful to releasably secure an object, such as a cellphone, to a surface, such as a vehicle dash.

2. Related Art

It is often desirable to secure a handheld item, such as a cell phone,to another surface, such as a movably vehicle dash. For example manyhandheld items carried in day-to-day life must often be temporarilystored to free an individual's hands for other tasks. One common exampleof such a situation arises when an individual enters a vehicle. Becausemost vehicles involve stop-and-go or side-to-side motion, placing suchitems on open surfaces raises the risk that the items will slide off theopen surface during operation of the vehicle. The movement of such itemscan cause damage to the item itself, damage to the vehicle or interioraccessories, and posses a safety problem. For example, a cell phone maybreak if it falls to the floor, or may fall onto another object, such asa laptop computer, causing further damage. In addition, a driver may bedistracted by trying to retrieve the phone from the floor. Hence,storing such items on open surfaces is generally not a viable option.

While most vehicles include storage locations for such personal items,storing the items generally requires the inconvenience of opening acompartment, such as a glove box in an automobile, and storing the itemsalong with the other items already contained within the compartment.Once stored in such compartments, items are not visible to an individualand are not easily accessible should the individual wish to quicklyaccess the items.

Conventional adhesive devices, however, often utilize a chemical bondthat is permanent in nature so that removal of the adhesive deviceeither damages the object on which it was used, or leaves a residue onthe object that is difficult to remove without damaging the object.Similarly, mechanical retaining devices often are mounted to an objectin such a way as to permanently alter the object. There are alsomagnetic devices in which two pieces are adhered to a vehicle dashboardand cellular phone, and then magnetically couple together.

Other solutions to the problem have been proposed. Most notably, specialmounting devices have been used to secure items in the car. Suchmounting devices typically have a base that is secured to some object inthe vehicle, and a receiving portion to receive and hold the item. Forexample, some devices are configured to receive and hold a cell phone.Other devices are configured to receive and hold sunglasses. Onedisadvantage with such mounting devices is that they are typicallycustomized to hold a particular item, or type of item, and are illsuited for other items. For example, a mounting device for a cell phonemay not adequately hold sunglasses. Thus, it may be necessary to haveseveral mounting devices within the vehicle, one for a cell phone, onefor sunglasses, one for a GPS unit, etc.

Such mounting devices have several other disadvantages. For example,having several mounting devices in a vehicle can make the vehicle appearcluttered. In addition, such mounting devices are typically sold asaccessories, and thus add expense. Another disadvantage with suchmounting devices is that they can permanently alter and devalue theobject to which they are attached. Furthermore, such mounting devicesare only accessible at the locations they are secured, while handhelddevices can be transported to different locations, such as othervehicles. Thus, additional mounting devices must be located wherever ahandheld item needs to be secured from undesired motion.

In addition, appliqués have been proposed that adhere to the handhelditem to increase grip. For example, see international patent applicationnos. PCT/US2004/006552 (WO 2005/026434) and PCT/US2003/004690 (WO2004/050343). Again, such appliqués adhere to the handheld item and aredifficult to remove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a deviceand method to removably attach handheld items to a surface withoutpermanently altering the handheld item or surface. In addition, it hasbeen recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a device andmethod to removably attach handheld items to a surface in a vehiclewithout permanently altering the vehicle surface and allowing for readyretrieval of the object. In addition, it has been recognized that itwould be advantageous to develop such a device and method capable ofbeing used with various different handheld items. In addition, it hasbeen recognized that it would be advantageous to develop such a deviceand method that would remain with the handheld item. In addition, it hasbeen recognized that it would be advantageous to develop such a deviceand method capable of providing advertisement, and/or personalization orcustomization.

The invention provides a frictional holding device configured toremovably secure a handheld item to a support surface. The frictionalholding device includes a pad having a smoother application side and acontoured exposed side. The smoother application side is smoother thanthe contoured exposed side and is tacky and clingable to the handhelditem by specific or mechanical adhesion. The contoured exposed side iscontoured over a majority of the contoured exposed side and includes aplurality of separate and discrete indentations.

The invention also provides a frictional holding device in combinationwith a handheld item and removably securing the handheld item to asupport surface. The handheld item is selected from the group consistingof: a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a global positioningsystem, a radio, a two-way radio, a citizens band radio, awalkie-talkie, a camera, a video recorder, a cassette player/recorder, amini-cassette recorder, a DVD player, a mini-disk player, a digitalmusic player, and a portable television. The frictional holding deviceincludes a pad formed from a layer of expanded vinyl and has a smootherapplication side disposed on a single side of the handheld item, and acontoured exposed side. The smoother application side has a contactsurface that is tacky to contact and cling to the single side of thehandheld item by specific or mechanical adhesion. The contoured exposedside has a contoured profile with a contact surface configured tocontact and cling to the surface by specific or mechanical adhesion.

The invention also provides a frictional holding device in combinationwith a support surface of a dashboard, a console or an armrest of avehicle, and a handheld item, and removably securing the handheld itemto the surface. The handheld item is selected from the group consistingof: a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a global positioningsystem, a radio, a two-way radio, a citizens band radio, awalkie-talkie, a camera, a video recorder, a cassette player/recorder, amini-cassette recorder, a DVD player, a mini-disk player, a digitalmusic player, and a portable television. The frictional holding deviceincludes a pad having an application side removably attached to a singleside of the handheld item, and an exposed side removably attached to thesurface. The exposed side has an outermost surface in contact with thesurface of the dashboard, the consol or the armrest less than anoutermost surface of the application side in contact with the handhelditem. The exposed side is tacky and contacts and clings to the surfaceof the dashboard, the console or the armrest by specific or mechanicaladhesion.

Furthermore, the invention provides a method for releasably securing ahandheld item to a support surface without marring or altering thehandheld item or the surface, comprising:

a) placing a contact surface of a smoother application side of a pad ona single side of the handheld item, the contact surface of the smootherapplication side of the frictional holding device clinging to thehandheld item by specific or mechanical adhesion without marring oraltering the handheld item, the pad further having an opposite contouredexposed side:

b) placing the handheld item with the frictional holding device on thesupport surface with a contact surface of the opposite contoured exposedside of the pad clinging to the surface by specific or mechanicaladhesion, the contoured exposed side having a contoured surfaceextending over a majority of the contoured exposed side, the contactsurface area of the contoured exposed side having less contact surfacearea than the contact surface of the smoother application side, thesmoother application side having a smoother contact surface than thecontact surface of the contoured exposed side; and

c) removing the handheld item with the pad from the support surfacewithout marring or altering the surface, and the pad remaining on thehandheld item.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a frictional holding device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, shown beforebeing removably attached to a handheld item;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the frictional holding device of FIG.1 a, shown disposed on a handheld device;

FIG. 2 a is a side view of the frictional holding pad of FIG. 1 a showndisposed on a handheld device and being removably disposed on a surface;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the frictional holding pad of FIG. 1 a showndisposed on a handheld device and disposed on a surface;

FIG. 2 c is a side view of the frictional holding pad of FIG. 1 a showndisposed on a handheld device and disposed on a surface;

FIG. 3 is a detailed, partial cross-sectional view of the frictionalholding pad of FIG. 1 a shown disposed on a handheld device and on asurface;

FIG. 4 is a detailed, partial cross-sectional view of the frictionalholding pad of FIG. 1 a with a release layer and a wrapper in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the frictional holding padof FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another frictional holding pad inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showndisposed on a handheld item;

FIG. 7 is a top view of another frictional holding pad in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention shown with a cornerpulled-up to reveal a bottom surface; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the frictional holding pad ofFIG. 7, shown disposed on a handheld item and on a surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andadditional applications of the principles of the inventions asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a frictional holding device, indicatedgenerally at 10, in accordance with the present invention is shown forreleasably retaining, or selectively maintaining, a handheld item 14 ona surface 16, or support surface. The frictional holding device 10 canhave a pad 12 is disposed on the handheld item 14, and clinging to theitem 14 by specific or mechanical adhesion. The handheld item can beplaner or curved. The handheld item 14 can be any of a number of items,including for example, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a pair of sunglasses, a pair of eye glasses, a global positioning system(GPS), a radio, a two-way radio, a citizens band (CB) radio, awalkie-talkie, a camera, a video recorder, a cassette player/recorder, amini-cassette recorder, a DVD player, a mini-disk player, a digitalmusic player, a portable television (TV), etc. Securing personalhandheld items in a vehicle is one field that may benefit from use ofthe present invention. It will be appreciated that other items can beselectively secured to the surface 16 by the pad 12. In addition, itwill be appreciated that the pad can be disposed on other surfaces.

The pad 10 has a smoother application side 20 and a contoured exposedside 22. The smoother application side 20 can be removably attachable tothe handheld item 14 despite movement of the handheld item 14. Thecontoured exposed side 22 can be removably attachable to the surface 16despite movement of the surface 16. The smoother application side 20 ofthe pad 10 can be “tacky”, such that the pad 12 tends to cling to thehandheld item 14 by specific or mechanical adhesion, as opposed to achemical or adhesive manner. Additionally, the smoother application side20 can be smoother than the contoured exposed side 22, or have a moreshiny appearance. The contoured exposed side 22 can also be “tacky”,such that the pad 12 can stick, or cling to the surface 16 when thehandheld item 14 and the pad 12 are disposed on the surface 16, as shownin FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

The smoother application side 20 can also have a greater surface area incontact with the handheld item 14 to provide a greater specific ormechanical adhesion that the contoured exposed side 22 with the surface16. Thus, the pad 12 remains on the handheld item 14 when the handhelditem 14 is removed from the surface 16, rather than removing thehandheld item 14 from the pad 12 when the handheld item 14 is picked upfrom the surface. The smoother application side 20 can have a contactsurface or an outermost surface that contacts the handheld item.

The contoured exposed side 22 can have contours or texture (indicated at21) that creates a contact surface or outermost surface that is reducedwith respect to the contact surface or outermost surface of theapplication side 20. The contact surface or outermost surface of thecontoured exposed side 22 contacts the surface 16. Thus, the handhelditem 14 and the pad 12 can be removed from the surface 16 without thepad 12 sticking to the surface 16 or being removed from the handhelditem 14.

The pad 12 can be flexible and capable of bending (indicated at 23 and25 in FIG. 2 b) to conform to curves or details in the handheld item 14or surface 16. The pad 12 also can have a planer configuration and canbe used on planar surfaces. The pad 12 can be provided in an originalplanar configuration, supported by a paper backing or release layer 24.The release layer 24 prevents or resists the pad 12 or smootherapplication surface 20 from sticking or clinging to any wrapper orpackaging of the pad. The release layer 24 may be stiffer than the pad12 to maintain the pad in a planar configuration. In addition, therelease layer 24 can include indicia thereon, such as instructions foruse and care of the pad 12. The release layer 24 can include a tab 25protruding therefrom beyond a perimeter of the pad 12 to facilitateremoval of the release layer from the pad. Upon removal of the releaselayer 24, the pad 12 is flexible to enable conformity with a wide arrayof curved surfaces. In addition, removal of the release layer 24 exposesthe smoother application side 20 of the pad 12 to be disposed on thehandheld item 14. A removable wrapper 26 can be formed around the pad 12and the backing layer 24 to protect the pad prior to use. The wrapper 26and backing layer 24 can be removed prior to placing the pad 12 on thehandheld item 14. The contoured exposed surface 22 of the pad 12 can benon-chemically adherable to surfaces 16 placed thereon. Like thesmoother application side 20, the contoured exposed side 22 can be“tacky”, such that the pad 12 tends to cling to the surface 16 byspecific or mechanical adhesion, as opposed to a chemical manner. Asstated above, the contoured exposed side 22 can be contoured to includeprotrusions 30 and/or indentations 32. The protrusions 30 andindentations 32 can be rounded or curvilinear to form a more gradualtransition between the protrusions and indentations, and create acontour on the contoured exposed side 22 that is wavy. The contour, orprotrusions 30 and/or indentations 32, can extend at least substantiallyacross the contoured exposed side 22 of the pad 12.

The contour of the exposed side 22 creates a contact surface on the topsof the protrusions 30 that contacts the surface 16. The contouredexposed side 22 thus has less surface area in contact with the surface16 than the smoother application side 22 has in contact with thehandheld item 14. Thus, a greater clinging force is exerted on thehandheld item 14 than on the surface 16 such that the handheld item 14and the pad 12 can be removed from the surface 16 without removing thepad 12 from the handheld item 14. In addition, the handheld item 14 canbe larger than the pad 12 itself, thus also contributing to more surfacecontact between the smoother application side 20 and the item 14.

Referring to FIG. 5, an array or matrix of a plurality of indentations34 can be formed in the contoured exposed side 22 of the pad 12 creatinga plurality of protrusions 36 therebetween. The indentations 34 andprotrusions 36 can be more straight, linear or recta-linear to create amore modern appearance.

The pad 12 can be formed of or can include an expanded vinyl material.It has been found that the expanded vinyl material provides a goodfrictional or “tacky” quality that remains disposed on the handheld item14, and that retains the item on the surface 16. In addition, it hasbeen found that such an expanded vinyl material typically can bedisposed on the handheld item 14 or the surface 16 without marring orotherwise chemically interfering with the material of many items, suchas cell phones, or surfaces, such as vehicle dashboards. It will beappreciated that many surfaces, such as a vehicle dashboard, have afinished surface configured to be aesthetically pleasing and luxurious.Such surfaces can be formed of a plastic or leather material, and can beexpensive to replace or repair. In addition, it will be appreciated thatsome surfaces are subjected to extreme conditions, such as heat andsunlight. It has been found that the expanded vinyl material not onlyprovides the required retention of objects and fixed relationship withthe surface, but also typically does so without chemically interactingwith the material of surface, or otherwise damage the surface.

The expanded vinyl material of the frictional holding pad 12 forms atemporary, non-chemical, specific or mechanical adhesive bond withboth 1) the handheld item 14 removably attached the smoother applicationside 20, and 2) the surface 16. The pad 12 can be removed from thehandheld item 14 or surface 16 without leaving behind any residue andwithout damaging the pad. In this manner the handheld item and pad 12can be easily moved to any location the user desires. Additionally, thepad 12 can be removed from one item 14 and placed on another. Becausethe pad 12 is made from expanded vinyl, it can be easily cleaned withsoap and water, and still retain its tackiness, and is thus reusable.

The expanded vinyl material more specifically can include:diisodecy/phlthalate; polymeric plasticer; a UV stabilizer; a vinyl hearstabilizer; a blowing agent for vinyl plastisol; and vinyl resin(plastic). The expanded vinyl material can have a weight betweenapproximately 10 and 20 ounces per square yard; more preferably betweenapproximately 12 and 18 ounces per square yard; and most preferablybetween approximately 14 and 16 ounces per square yard. The frictionalholding device 10 can have a thickness between approximately 0.03 and0.09; more preferably between approximately 0.04 and 0.08 inches; andmost preferably between approximately 0.05 and 0.06 inches.

The pad 10 can be formed of different layers with different materials.For example, the pad 10 can have a skin layer formed on the smootherapplication side 20 formed of a different material than the rest of thepad. For example, the material of the skin layer can include: aquaammonia (NH₄OH); azardine; rubber; color; and body for thickening. Theskin layer can have a thickness between 0.003 and 0.006 inches, and morepreferably between 0.004 and 0.005 inches.

In addition, a perforated pattern can be formed in the pad 10 toornamentally decorate the contoured exposed surface 22. The pad 12 canbe die cut from a larger sheet of material. The perforated pattern cansimilarly be formed by a die.

The frictional holding pad 12 also can include indicia 52 formed on thecontoured exposed surface 22. The indicia 52 can be formed by ink, orink-like materials, printed on the upper surface. The indicia 52 caninclude: a logo, an advertisement, an instruction, a promotion, acompany name, and a product name. Thus, the frictional holding device 10can be used as a promotional item by including a business or productlogo or name. It will be appreciated that such frictional holdingdevices can be inexpensively manufactured, and in use, can occupy aposition of high and frequent visibility. Thus, such frictional holdingdevices can be inexpensively manufactured, and given away as promotionalitems. In addition, the indicia 52 can include instructions that can berelated or unrelated to the use or care of the pad. For example, theinstructions can include how to use or place the pad, and how to cleanor wash the pad. As another example, the instructions can relate to theuse of something other than the pad 12 itself, such as an item to bedisposed thereon. Thus, the pad serves dual functions, both as africtional holding pad to secure and item, and providing readyinstructions. The instructions can relate to the use of the item to bedisposed thereon. Thus, such a pad can be provided with an item, orprovided for use with such an item. For example, the instructions canrelate to the use of a cellular phone. In addition, the indicia caninclude warning, such as warning not to drive while talking on thephone.

Referring to FIG. 6, another frictional holding device, indicatedgenerally at 110, is shown which is similar in many respects to thefrictional holding pad described above and shown in the other drawings.The device 110 can have a pad 112 that can be translucent ortransparent. Thus, surface details 114 on the handheld item 14 can beviewed or are visible through the pad 112 (indicated at 116 in FIG. 6).The translucent or transparent nature of the pad 112 can make the padblend-in or match the handheld item 14 because of the surface details114 showing through the pad. If the pad is translucent, it can alsoinclude a light coloring. Such coloring can help visually distinguishthe pad 112 from the handheld item. Thus, a translucent pad can bothblend with the handheld item 14 while still being visuallydistinguishable therefrom.

The pad 112 can be formed of, or can include, a translucent ortransparent material. For example, the pad 112 can include a moldedpolyurethane material. It has been found that the polyurethane materialprovides both a frictional or “tacky” quality that remains disposed onthe surface, and that is transparent or translucent. In addition, thepolyurethane material can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

The pad 112 also can include indicia 52 formed thereon. The indicia 52can be formed on the smoother application side 20 of the pad 112 andstill be visible because the pad is translucent or transparent. Formingthe indicia 52 on the smoother application side 20 of the pad can alsoprotect the indicia from wear or removal.

The pad 112 also can include a printable portion or section 120 that caninclude a substantially flat area on the contoured exposed surface 22.Thus, the contoured exposed surface 22 can be substantially contoured,but still have a flat printable portion or section 120 for indicia 52.

The pad 112 preferably has a low profile, or is thin, having a thicknessof less than approximately ⅛th of an inch. Thus, the handheld item 14 iskept close to the surface 16 without extending where the handheld itemmight interfere with the operation of the vehicle.

Thus, the pad 112 can be a thin sheet of polyurethane material with asubstantially smooth and continuous application side 20 with a tackycharacteristic to non-chemically and removably adhere to the handhelditem 14, and a contoured exposed side 22 also with a tackycharacteristic to non-chemically and removably adhere to the surface 16.The pad or polyurethane material can be translucent or transparent, andcan include printing on either the upper or lower surface.

The frictional holding devices described above can be sized and shapedto match the desired handheld item 14. For example, the pads can besized to fit on typical cellular phones, digital music players, etc. Asan example, a size less than two square inches has been found to beuseful. In addition, the pads can be sized or shaped to match otherdesigns, such as logos. Additionally, the frictional holding devices canbe square, rectangular, circular, polygonal, or the like.

The frictional holding devices described herein can also be formed froma single solid or consistent layer, without adhesives or laminates.Additionally, the frictional holding devices do not contain any adhesivechemicals either within the pad material, or affixed to any externalsurface of the pad. Thus, the frictional holding devices frictionallycling to the handheld items solely by specific or mechanical adhesion.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, another frictional holding device 310 is shownthat is similar in most respects to those described above. Thefrictional holding device 310 can also have a pad 312. The pad 312 hasan application side 334 and an exposed side 318. The application side334 can be substantially flat, as described above, to be disposed on thehandheld item 14. Alternatively, the application side 334 can becontoured, as described below. The exposed side 318 can be differentfrom the application side 334 and can be contoured to removably attachto the surface 16. At least a substantial portion of the exposed side318 can be contoured. The contour can include a plurality of protrusions322 and/or indentations 326. The protrusions 322 can extend from theexposed side forming the indentations 326 therebetween, or theindentations 326 can extend into the exposed side forming theprotrusions 322 therebetween. As discussed above, the contour can beformed by an array or matrix of indentations extending across a majorityof the exposed side. Also as described above, the application side has acontact surface or outermost surface that is greater than a contactsurface or outermost surface of the exposed side

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the application side 334 also can becontoured. The contour can include a plurality of protrusions 338 and/orindentations 342. The protrusions and indentations of the applicationside 334 can be similar to those of the exposed side 318, but canprovide a contact surface to contact and frictionally cling to thehandheld item 14. The contact surface of the application side 334 canhave a greater surface area than the contact surface of the exposedside. For example, the protrusions 338 of the application side 334 canbe larger than the protrusions 322 of the exposed side 318. Or theindentations 342 of the application side 334 can be larger than theindentations 322 of the exposed side 318.

The protrusions 322 or 338 of the exposed or application sides 318 or334 can be substantially flat, or the contact surfaces can be flat tomaximize the surface area in contact with the surface 16 or handhelditem 14.

The pad can formed of stretched vinyl or polyurethane, which has beenfound to provide tackiness without marring most vehicle surfaces. In thecase the pad is formed from polyurethane, the pad can be translucent ortransparent.

Indicia 350 can be formed on the top surface 318 of the pad 310 or 314.The indicia can include: a logo, an advertisement, an instruction, apromotion, a company name, and a product name. The top surface 318 caninclude a first or flat section 354 that is flat, and upon which theindicia 350 can be disposed. In addition, the top surface 318 caninclude a second or remaining section that is contoured and configuredto receive the item.

A method for releasably securing an item on a vehicle surface withoutmarring or altering the handheld item or the surface includes placing africtional holding device on the handheld item. The frictional holdingdevice can have a pad with a smoother application side and a contouredexposed side. The contoured exposed side can have a contoured surfaceextending over a majority of the contoured exposed side and a contactsurface. The smoother application side can have a smoother contactsurface than the contact surface of the contoured exposed side, and canbe capable of contacting and frictionally clinging to the handheld itemby specific or mechanical adhesion without marring or altering the item.The smoother application side can have a greater contact surface areathan the contact surface area of the contoured exposed side. The contactsurface of the smoother application side can be placed on the handhelditem.

The contact surface of the smoother application side of the frictionalholding device can cling to the handheld item by specific or mechanicaladhesion. The handheld item with the frictional holding device can beplaced on a surface with the contact surface of the contoured exposedside of the frictional holding device clinging to the surface byspecific or mechanical adhesion. The handheld item with the frictionalholding device can be removed from the surface without marring oraltering the surface, and the frictional holding device will remain onthe handheld item.

Additionally, the surface can be moved with the handheld item securedto, and moving with, the surface by the frictional holding device. Thepad can also include a flexible material and can be bent to conform tochanges in a profile of the handheld item, the pad including a flexiblematerial. Furthermore, a backing layer can be removed from the contactsurface of the smoother application side of the pad prior to placing thefrictional holding device on the handheld item.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application for the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can bedevised without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings andfully described above with particularity and detail in connection withwhat is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferredembodiments(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be madewithout departing from the principles and concepts of the invention asset forth in the claims.

1. A frictional holding device configured to removably secure a handhelditem to a support surface, comprising: a) a pad having a smootherapplication side and a contoured exposed side; b) the smootherapplication side being smoother than the contoured exposed side andbeing tacky and clingable to the handheld item by specific or mechanicaladhesion; c) the contoured exposed side being contoured over a majorityof the contoured exposed side and including a plurality of separate anddiscrete indentations.
 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe contoured exposed side has an outermost surface area less than anoutermost surface area of the smoother application side.
 3. A device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the pad is bendable and includes aflexible material conformable to surface profile changes of the handhelditem.
 4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the smootherapplication side has a greater specific or mechanical adhesion than thecontoured exposed side.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising: indicia, formed on the contoured exposed side of the pad,the indicia being selected from the group consisting of: a logo, anadvertisement, an instruction, a promotion, a company name, and aproduct name.
 6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein thecontoured exposed side includes at least two laterally adjacent andbordering sections, including a first section that is substantially flatand has indicia thereon, and a second section that is contoured.
 7. Adevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pad includes an expandedvinyl material.
 8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the padincludes a polyurethane material.
 9. A device in accordance with claim1, wherein at least a portion of the pad is at least translucent.
 10. Adevice in accordance with claim 9, further comprising indicia, formed onthe smoother application side of the pad, and visible through thecontoured exposed side of the pad.
 11. A device in accordance with claim1, wherein the contoured exposed side of the pad is removably disposedon a dashboard of a vehicle, a console of a vehicle, or an armrest of avehicle.
 12. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the smootherapplication side of the pad is secured to a single side of the handhelditem; and wherein the handheld item is selected from the groupconsisting of: a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a globalpositioning system, a radio, a two-way radio, a citizens band radio, awalkie-talkie, a camera, a video recorder, a cassette player/recorder, amini-cassette recorder, a DVD player, a mini-disk player, a digitalmusic player, and a portable television.
 13. A frictional holding devicein combination with a handheld item and removably securing the handhelditem to a support surface, comprising: a) the handheld item beingselected from the group consisting of: a cell phone, a personal digitalassistant, a global positioning system, a radio, a two-way radio, acitizens band radio, a walkie-talkie, a camera, a video recorder, acassette player/recorder, a mini-cassette recorder, a DVD player, amini-disk player, a digital music player, and a portable television; b)a pad, formed from a layer of expanded vinyl, and having a smootherapplication side disposed on a single side of the handheld item, and acontoured exposed side; c) the smoother application side having acontact surface that is tacky to contact and cling to the single side ofthe handheld item by specific or mechanical adhesion; and d) thecontoured exposed side having a contoured profile with a contact surfaceconfigured to contact and cling to the surface by specific or mechanicaladhesion.
 14. A device in accordance with claim 13, wherein thecontoured exposed side has an outermost surface area less than anoutermost surface area of the smoother application side.
 15. A device inaccordance with claim 13, wherein the support surface receiving thecontoured exposed side of the pad is selected from the group consistingof: a dashboard of a vehicle, a console of a vehicle, and an armrest ofa vehicle.
 16. A frictional holding device in combination with a supportsurface of a dashboard, a console or an armrest of a vehicle, and ahandheld item, and removably securing the handheld item to the surface,comprising: a) the handheld item being selected from the groupconsisting of: a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a globalpositioning system, a radio, a two-way radio, a citizens band radio, awalkie-talkie, a camera, a video recorder, a cassette player/recorder, amini-cassette recorder, a DVD player, a mini-disk player, a digitalmusic player, and a portable television; b) a pad, having an applicationside, removably attached to a single side of the handheld item, and anexposed side, removably attached to the surface; c) the exposed sidehaving an outermost surface in contact with the surface of thedashboard, the consol or the armrest less than an outermost surface ofthe application side in contact with the handheld item; and d) theexposed side being tacky and contacting and clinging to the surface ofthe dashboard, the console or the armrest by specific or mechanicaladhesion.
 17. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the pad isbendable and includes a flexible material conforming to surface profilechanges of the handheld item.
 18. A device in accordance with claim 16,wherein the exposed side is contoured and has a plurality of separateand discrete indentations; and wherein the application side is smootherthan the exposed side.
 19. A device in accordance with claim 18, whereinthe application side has a greater specific or mechanical adhesion thanthe exposed side.
 20. A device in accordance with claim 16, furthercomprising: indicia, formed on the exposed side of the pad, the indiciabeing selected from the group consisting of: a logo, an advertisement,an instruction, a promotion, a company name, and a product name.
 21. Adevice in accordance with claim 16, wherein the exposed side includes atleast two laterally adjacent and bordering sections, including a firstsection that is substantially flat and has indicia thereon, and a secondsection that is contoured.
 22. A device in accordance with claim 16,wherein the pad includes an expanded vinyl material.
 23. A device inaccordance with claim 16, wherein the pad includes a polyurethanematerial.
 24. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least aportion of the pad is at least translucent.
 25. A device in accordancewith claim 16, further comprising indicia, formed on the applicationside of the pad, and visible through the exposed side of the pad.
 26. Amethod for releasably securing a handheld item to a support surfacewithout marring or altering the handheld item or the surface, comprisingthe steps of: a) placing a contact surface of a smoother applicationside of a pad on a single side of the handheld item, the contact surfaceof the smoother application side of the frictional holding deviceclinging to the handheld item by specific or mechanical adhesion withoutmarring or altering the handheld item, the pad further having anopposite contoured exposed side: b) placing the handheld item with thefrictional holding device on the support surface with a contact surfaceof the opposite contoured exposed side of the pad clinging to thesurface by specific or mechanical adhesion, the contoured exposed sidehaving a contoured surface extending over a majority of the contouredexposed side, the contact surface area of the contoured exposed sidehaving less contact surface area than the contact surface of thesmoother application side, the smoother application side having asmoother contact surface than the contact surface of the contouredexposed side; and c) removing the handheld item with the pad from thesupport surface without marring or altering the support surface, and thepad remaining on the handheld item.